Conformity Determination Report Short Form Winston Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process

Transcription

1 Conformity Determination Report Short Form Winston Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process Long Range Transportation Plan: 2035 Transportation Improvement Program: FY Nature of Action: Administrative Modification Amendment Number TIP# 03, LRTP #01 Planning Action Only New Emissions Analysis Required A full list of all proposed changes is provided in Appendix A. Planning Action Amendments do not impact financial constraint of the TIP (40 CFR ) or MTP, as any increase in federal funds will be drawn from existing program balances, as verified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. This conformity process will involve a LRTP/TIP amendment and will not require a regional emissions analysis (40 CFR (g)) because Forsyth County is under a CO limited maintenance plan. The CO limited maintenance plan that was approved by EPA with an effective date of July 22, 2013, and removes the requirement to conduct a regional emissions analysis as a part of the conformity determination. The requirement to demonstrate conformity (Table 1 of 40 CFR ) still applies. Date of Last Conforming Emissions Analysis (40 CFR , , , , , ): March 6, LRTP and FY TIP The above dated Conformity Determination Report was found by FHWA and EPA to meet the transportation requirements of the Clean Air Act set forth in 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 93. The Triad Maintenance Area meets all motor vehicle emissions budgets and conformity tests established through the State Implementation Plan and via Interagency Consultation for both the PM2.5 and CO standards. The only National Ambient Air Quality Standard that is currently applicable to Forsyth County is the CO standard. Proposed Approval Dates: See attached conformity process schedule in Appendix B Appendices: A. Proposed Project Changes B. Conformity Process Schedule C. Interagency Consultation (40 CFR & ) D. Public Participation Ads E. Public/Agency Comments and Responses F. Adoption, Endorsement Resolutions and Agency Determinations Report Preparation: Prepared by: Wendy Miller, Transportation Principal Planner Title: Winston Salem Urban Area MPO Contact wendym@cityofws.org Contact Phone: Date: December 1, 2014

2 Appendix A Proposed Project Changes

3 APPENDIX A List of Changes for TIP Amendment # 03, LRTP Amendment #01 WSMPO ID NCDOT TIP Number Project Title WS T029 U 2827B Business 40 (US 421) Improvements West of Fourth Street to East of Church Street) Pavement Rehabilitation, replacement of Bridge Nos. 178, 278,286, 288, 291, 293, 305, 312, 313 and 336 and Various Safety Improvements, from West of Fourth Street to East of Church Street, Forsyth County, North Carolina. WBS Element # Federal Aid Project No. NHF 0421(5) Emissions Analysis Status The last emissions Preferred Alternative analysis was done for the conformity determination completed on 3/6/13 Programming Changes Explanation of Need for Amendment Requested by Cherry/Marshall (primary access to downtown Winston Salem) this alternative provides for a full interchange at Peters Creek Parkway, a full interchange at Cherry/Marshall (via two partial interchanges acting as a full interchange) and a partial interchange at Main Street. Requires LRTP and TIP amendment and Conformity Determination on Non Exempt projects. This project will require an LRTP and TIP Amendment NCDOT

4 Appendix B Conformity Process Schedule

5 Triad Area: WS MPO U-2827B LRTP/TIP Amendment Transportation Conformity Process Schedule Discussion Draft -- 4/8/2014 Conformity Elements Schedule Summary Line Start End Length Line Participating Organizations and Staff ID# Date Date (Days) ID# (lead staff in bold) 1 Project start -- NA 1 2 Interagency consultation (IC) 12/03/13 12/03/ IA planning session #1 #VALUE! 3 4 Set IA meeting date (location, etc.) 4 5 Develop participant list 5 6 Discuss draft agenda 6 7 Discuss TCPCP 7 8 Discuss CPS 8 9 IC planning session #2 TBD #VALUE! 9 10 Review draft agenda Review TCPCP Review CPS Prepare presentations Agenda, draft TCPCP and draft CPS to IC partners IC Meeting 1 15 Dancausse/Miller 16 Meeting Minutes 1 16 Miller 17 Circulate and Review meeting minutes 1 17 Dancausse 18 Follow up to address comments 1 18 Dancausse 19 Transportation Planning NA NA #VALUE! Transportation Projects, Timelines, Fiscal Constraint MPO TCCs develop and refine draft LRTP project list MPO TACs receive & review the draft project list LRTP-for-comment MPO TACs (or TCCs) approve LRTP/TIP Amendments project list: BG MPO: NA, Greensboro: NA, High Point: NA, Winston Salem: NA NA NA #VALUE! Transportation Modeling (50 days): Includes PTRM and NMAA NA NA #VALUE! Base year network and land use (2009) Horizon year 1 network and land use Horizon year 2 network and land use Design Year network and land use Develop plan version for initial air quality analysis Extract draft plan VMT and speeds Evaluate draft plan speeds and VMT Preliminary Regional Emissions Analysis Emission Factors Review (additional iterations, if needed) Extract Final VMT and speeds Evaluate final speeds and VMT Modeling Complete (Includes Emission Factor & REA) NA Emission Analysis NA NA #VALUE! NCDAQ Emissions Model Work #VALUE! Off model analysis, including off-model TDM-not applicable NA NA Regional Emissions Analysis (REA) & Review #VALUE! Conformity Report Preparation 03/03/14 03/28/ Miller/Dancausse 44 Preliminary report preparation 03/03/14 03/28/ Prepare pre-draft report Print pre-draft report Internal Review pre-draft #VALUE! Agency Review (EPA/FTA/NCDAQ/FHWA) of pre-draft CDR #VALUE! Respond to Agency Comments Place conformity report on website 03/28/14 03/28/ Miller/Bailey 51 TACs release conformity draft and LRTP update for public comment: BG MPO: NA, Greensboro: NA, High Point: 5/27/14, Winston Salem MPO: 5/15/14 05/15/14 05/27/ MPOs, RPOs 52 Interagency and public review 06/12/14 07/22/ Dancausse 53 DENR Review 06/12/14 07/03/ Galamb 54 FHWA Initial Review 06/12/14 07/03/ Dancausse 55 FTA Initial Review 06/12/14 07/03/ Immings 56 EPA Initial Review 06/12/14 07/03/ Sommerville/Sheckler 57 Public Review (MPOs and RPOs) 06/12/14 07/14/ Miller 58 Respond to Agency and Public Comments 07/15/14 07/22/ Miller 1 59 MPO & Rural Conformity Determination 11/20/14 11/25/ NCDOT 60 TACs Adopt Final LRTPs with AQ conformity-public hearing BG MPO: NA, Greensboro: NA, High Point: 11/25/14, Winston Salem: 11/20/14 11/20/14 11/25/ MPOs 61 NCDOT Secretary issues conformity letter for rural area NA NA #VALUE! 59 NCDOT, RPOs 62 Conformity analysis, report and review complete 11/20/14 11/25/ Place conformity report on website 11/03/14 11/03/ Miller 64 Federal Action 11/03/14 12/01/ Dancausse 65 Transmit Report to FHWA/TPB 11/03/14 11/03/ Miller 66 FHWA transmit report to EPA & FTA 11/03/14 11/03/ Dancausse 67 USDOT Determination 12/01/14 12/01/ Dancausse 68 USDOT Letter to State/MPO 12/01/14 12/01/ Dancausse 69 Process Complete 12/01/14 12/01/ Conformity Process Complete -- December 1, /01/14 NA NA 68

6 Appendix C Interagency Consultation

7 MEETING INFORMATION Meeting Description: Meeting Purpose: U-2827B EA To discuss the timeline for completion of the EA/FONSI and address any transportation conformity issues Date: ATTENDEES Eddie Dancausse- FHWA Beverly Robinson- NCDOT Mike Penney- NCDOT George Hoops- FHWA Andy Bailey-NCDOT Greg Errett-WS MPO Wendy Miller WS MPO DECISIONS AND ACTION ITEMS: 1) PDEA (Penney) will provide a project description for the alternatives by 9/6/13 2) FHWA (Dancausse) will draft a CPS for the conformity work 3) The Winston Salem (WS) MPO will announce the proposed U-2827B project LRTP/TIP amendment (including conformity) during their November 2013 TAC meeting 4) NCDOT (Bailey) will discuss the U-2827B amendment modeling work with the PART. It was mentioned that the PART modeler may be on leave for an extended time period. NCDOT (Bailey) will research and provide anticipated time tables for the modeling work and status on the availability of the PART modeling staff. Action item follow-up: NCDOT (Bailey) will be responsible for the transportation modeling work. 5) The WS MPO (Miller) will need to initiate the U-2827B LRTP/TIP amendment transportation conformity work no later than December ) The WS MPO (Miller) will need to initiate a 30 public comment period before taking action on the amendments to the LRTP/MTIP and approval of the CDR in mid July MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: The current WS MPO LRTP/TIP/STIP (including conformity) for project U-2827B includes all interchanges shown as open. The EA can be completed with the various alternatives under consideration. The EA will need to mention that conformity will need to be completed for the selected alternative or alternatives (assuming it is not currently accurately represented in the LRTP/TIP/STIP). The exepected completion date for the EA is February 2014 and the FONSI is September The WS MPO TAC will meet on the following dates in 2014: January 16, February 20, March 20, May 15, July 17 and Sept 18. The current version of the PTRM is Design Year Traffic Forecast for both alternatives used the 2.1 model. New Conformity analysis will require rerun of 2040 build alternatives with 3.1 model.

8 There will be two alternatives that will be carried forward to the FONSI. For conformity purposes both alternatives will be modeled, once a preferred is selected prior to FONSI that scenario will be used for the conformity regional emissions analysis (REA).

9 MEETING INFORMATION Meeting Description: Meeting Purpose: Winston Salem (WS) MPO TIP Amendment U-2827B Kick-Off Interagency Consultation Meeting Discuss the U-2527B TIP Amendment, review the draft short form conformity determination report and review the conformity process schedule Date: 12/3/13 ATTENDEES Eddie Dancausse- FHWA Beverly Robinson- NCDOT Mike Penney- NCDOT Terry Arellano- NCDOT Andy Bailey-NCDOT Amanetta Somerville - EPA Greg Errett-WS MPO Derry Schmidt - NCDOT Wendy Miller WS Anne Galamb MPO NCDAQ Fred Haith WS Carrie Pickett - MPO NCDAQ Heather Hildebrandt - NCDAQ Bill Marley - FHWA Greg Venable HP MPO DECISIONS AND ACTION ITEMS: EPA (Somerville) is going to check to see if a regional emissions analysis will be required for this project since it is located in Forsyth County which is under a CO Limited Maintenance Plan. Per phone conversation on 12/6/13 with EPA (Somerville) a regional emissions analysis is NOT required but project level conformity is required (i.e., CO Hotspot Analysis, etc.) FHWA (Dancausse) will draft the meeting minutes and revise the conformity process schedule FHWA will schedule an IC status meeting for 4/2014 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: The current scheduled completion date of the EA is 6/2014 and the FONSI is 9/2014. Two alternatives are still being studied for this project. This project will involve the closing of some interchanges. Those interchanges are modeled as open in the currently conformity 2035 LRTP A stand alone conformity process will be done for this LRTP/TIP amendment. This conformity process will involve the High Point MPO because they extend into Forsyth County. The WS MPO (Miller) notified their TAC on 11/21/13 of the upcomming public/agency review and comment period for the draft conformity determination report.

10 Wendy Miller From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Wednesday, February 19, :30 AM Wendy Miller; Gregory Errett; Fred Holbrook U-2827B LRTP/TIP Amendment - Conformity Meeting Highlights Meeting Highlights: NCDOT PEDA (Robinson/Penny) o The current completion date for the EA is 3/2014 o There will be a public hearing on the 2 alternatives in May/June (June 30 th worst case) and then there will be 30 days of public comment. o Worst case the selection of the preferred alternative will take place in August o NCODT PEDA will meet this week to review the current schedule and make any necessary revisions. NCDOT (Robinson) will contact the Winston Salem (WS) MPO (Miller) to provide an update on any schedule revisions by ACTION ITEM o It was recommended that the MPO (Miller) review the two alternatives in the Draft EA and make sure that their planning/conformity documentation contain the correct information related to the alternatives ACTION ITEM FHWA (Dancausse) o This conformity process will not require a regional emissions analysis but the Triad Regional Model will be updated to currently reflect the preferred alternative for this project NCDOT (Bailey) ACTION ITEM o The WS MPO (Miller) can take the two alternatives out in the short form conformity determination report (CDR) for public/agency review/comment in June 2014 o A preferred alternative will need to be selected before the WSMPO TAC and the High Point (HP) MPO TAC can make their final adoptions and conformity finding (WSMPO 7/17/14 & HP MPO 8/26/14) on the LRTP/TIP amendments. o WSMPO (Miller) will notify FHWA (Dancausse) of any schedule revisions so the conformity process schedule can be revised and shared with all the interagency consultation partners ACTION ITEM WS MPO (Miller) o If there is not a preferred alternative selected by 7/17/14 (WSMPO TAC Meeting) the WSMPO would like to delay their final approvals until their regularly scheduled TAC meeting in September 2014 Edward J. Dancausse Air Quality Specialist FHWA NC Division edward.dancausse@dot.gov 1

11 Appendix D Public Participation Ads

12 LEGALS Request for Review and Comment The Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) and the Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) are seeking public review and comment on the following documents: Strategic Transportation Investment (STI) priorities for the Winston-Salem Urban Area MPO Amendment and Modifications to the Fiscal Years Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) Draft Air Quality Conformity Determination Report (AQCDR) Short Form dated June 12, 2014 by an unlawful discriminatory practice regarding the Winston-Salem Urban Area MPO programs has a right to file a formal complaint with Angela Carmon, City Attorney, City of Winston-Salem, P.O. Box 2511, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, within 180 days following the date of the alleged discrimination occurrence. June 12, 2014 LEGALS Strategic Transportation Investment priorities for the Winston-Salem Urban Area MPO The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) created the Strategic Prioritization Process in response to a State mandate to create a professional data-driven approval process for transportation project selection. Significant changes to the process were made by House Bill 817 also known as the Strategic Transportation Investments which established funding tiers (Statewide, Regional, and Division) and funding allocations across all transportation modes. The STI legislation requires that MPOs develop a ranking process to evaluate all eligible project categories (highway, non-motorized, public transportation, aviation, rail and ferry) and prioritize projects ranked by the MPO that fall in the Regional and Division levels. An STI public drop in meeting to review and comment on the MPO priority projects will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Bryce Stuart Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem from 12 to 2:00 p.m. and from 5 to 7:00 p.m. The MPO will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Fredrick Haith as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made. Amendment and Modifications to the Fiscal Years Winston-Salem Urban Area MTIP The Fiscal Years MTIP amendments include a Statewide vegetation management (ER-5600) project and the US 421/Business 40 Pavement Rehabilitation and Various Safety Improvements (U-2827B) project that will require amending the MTIP and 2035 Transportation Plan Update with a Conformity Determination Report (CDR) Short Form for the interchange preferred alternative selection. The MTIP modifications include delaying to 2015 installation of intelligent transportation system (ITS) components on the Union Cross Road project (U-4909), various Statewide Pedestrian Facilities Program projects (EB-3314), delay construction of the Brushy Fork Greenway project (EB-4020C) and the Muddy Creek Greenway/Cedar Trail Connection (EB-5523) to 2015 for the City s revised timeline, and including funds in FYs 2016 and 2017 for the Streetscape Improvement Projects (U-5539). The documents are online at and and at public libraries in Forsyth County and King, each municipal town hall, the N.C.DOT office at 375 Silas Creek Parkway, the Winston-Salem Department of Transportation, Room 307, 100 E. First St., Winston-Salem and the High Point Department of Transportation, 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point. ONLY WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5 P.M. FRIDAY, JULY 11, Mail, or fax comments to: Fredrick Haith Winston-Salem DOT P.O. Box 2511 Winston-Salem, NC fredrickh@cityofws.org Fax: (336) The Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization does not exclude participation or discriminate in any program or activity receiving Federal assistance on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved

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22 Appendix E Public/Agency Comments and Responses

23 Wendy Miller From: Sent: To: Subject: Monday, June 30, :28 AM Wendy Miller RE: Agency Comments: WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Wendy, Yes you can make that change back to December. Thanks, Eddie From: Wendy Miller Sent: Monday, June 30, :13 AM To: Dancausse, Edward (FHWA) Subject: RE: Agency Comments: WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Eddie, I was reviewing the changes made by Kelly and assumed it was only the paragraph under Nature of Action. Then I noticed that the date was August 2014 rather than December Can I revised the date back to December XX, 2014? Thanks, Wendy From: Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov [mailto:edward.dancausse@dot.gov] Sent: Friday, June 27, :07 PM To: Wendy Miller Cc: Gregory Errett; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; wcdavis@ncdot.gov; tarellano@ncdot.gov; scottr@partnc.org; jabailey@ncdot.gov; smith.dianna@epa.gov; swpullium@ncdot.gov; smith.dianna@epa.gov; ewthomas@ncdot.gov; Bill.Marley@dot.gov; mtstanley@ncdot.gov; anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; hjshah@ncdot.gov; Unwanna.Dabney@dot.gov; anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; davis.scottr@epa.gov; hjhildebrandt@ncdot.gov; carrie.pickett@ncdenr.gov; Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov; Sheckler.Kelly@epa.gov Subject: Agency Comments: WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Wendy, The attached files contain the s from agency partners responding to our request for comments. NCDOT, NCDAQ and FHWA had not comments. EPA had some minor comments. I took a shot at addressing EPA s comments and made minor revisions to the draft CDR and it is provided in the attached file. Please use the short form CDR (6/27/14) that is attached as the latest version of the document. Please include this and the attached s from the agency partners in appendix E of the final draft CDR. Kelly please give the revised draft CDR a look and let me know if your comments have been adequately addressed. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks Eddie From: Dancausse, Edward (FHWA) Sent: Thursday, June 19, :56 PM To: Scott Davis (davis.scottr@epa.gov); Heather Hildebrandt (hjhildebrandt@ncdot.gov); Carrie Pickett (carrie.pickett@ncdenr.gov); Sheckler, Kelly Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; GREG VENABLE; Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; Scott Rhine; 'wendym@cityofws.org'; Bailey, John A; Dianna Smith (smith.dianna@epa.gov); Holman, Sheila; njtennison@ncdot.gov; swpullium@ncdot.gov; Mike Bruff (mbruff@ncdot.gov); Dianna Smith (smith.dianna@epa.gov); Earlene Thomas; Marley, Bill (FHWA); Reed, Donna (FHWA); Mike Stanley (mtstanley@ncdot.gov); Anne Galamb (anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; Hemal Shah (hjshah@ncdot.gov); Dabney, Unwanna; Anne Galamb (anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; Dancausse, Edward (FHWA) Subject: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Kelly/Scott, The attached files contain the FHWA letters requesting review and comment of the Winston Salem (WS) MPO 2035 LRTP/TIP Amendment (U 2827B) Draft Conformity Determination Report (CDR). I will not be sending hard copies of these letters. If you want a hard copy for your files please print a copy. The WS MPO is taking two amendment alternatives out for agency/public review. A preferred alternative will be selected prior to the MPO making their final actions (conformity determination/tip amendment) on November Heather/Carrie: This serves as my request for your review and comments on the draft CDR Kelly: I will make the suggested revisions you suggested (from the CAMPO short form CDR s) for the final draft version of this document. The final draft CDR is provided on the Winston Salem MPO website and that link is provided below: reports/publicreview/publicreview_201406_u2827baqcdr_sf.pdf I am requesting your review comments by 7/19/14. If you have any questions or need additional information/time for your review, please let me know. Thanks, Eddie 1

24 EPA From: Sheckler, Kelly A. Sent: Wednesday, June 25, :40 PM To: Dancausse, Edward (FHWA) Subject: RE: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Eddie- Thank you for the letter from Mr. Sullivan, dated June 19, 2014, requesting our review of the draft transportation conformity determination for the amended Fiscal year (FY) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Forsyth County in the Winston- Salem, North Carolina carbon monoxide (CO) maintenance area.. We have completed our review on the draft report and recommend the following changes: 1. Short form Conformity Determination Report: include in the Nature of Action section a sentence explaining what the administrative modification is for the TIP and the Long Range Transportation Plan. It is unclear in Appendix A what the modification is specifically. 2. The Box checked in this same section of the report indicates it is an amendment modification not an administrative modification; however, the text in the paragraph indicates it is an administrative modification. Please clarify which type of modification it is and indicate as such in the section of the Report. From: Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov [mailto:edward.dancausse@dot.gov] Sent: Thursday, June 19, :56 PM To: Davis, Scott; hjhildebrandt@ncdot.gov; carrie.pickett@ncdenr.gov; Sheckler, Kelly A. Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; wcdavis@ncdot.gov; tarellano@ncdot.gov; scottr@partnc.org; wendym@cityofws.org; jabailey@ncdot.gov; Smith, Dianna; Sheila.Holman@ncdenr.gov; njtennison@ncdot.gov; swpullium@ncdot.gov; mbruff@ncdot.gov; Smith, Dianna; ewthomas@ncdot.gov; Bill.Marley@dot.gov; Donna.Reed@dot.gov; mtstanley@ncdot.gov; anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; hjshah@ncdot.gov; Unwanna.Dabney@dot.gov; anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov; Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov Subject: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Kelly/Scott, The attached files contain the FHWA letters requesting review and comment of the Winston Salem (WS) MPO 2035 LRTP/TIP Amendment (U-2827B) Draft Conformity Determination Report (CDR). I will not be sending hard copies of these letters. If you want a hard copy for your files please print a copy. The WS MPO is taking two amendment alternatives out for agency/public review. A Page 1

25 EPA preferred alternative will be selected prior to the MPO making their final actions (conformity determination/tip amendment) on November Heather/Carrie: This serves as my request for your review and comments on the draft CDR Kelly: I will make the suggested revisions you suggested (from the CAMPO short form CDR s) for the final draft version of this document. The final draft CDR is provided on the Winston Salem MPO website and that link is provided below: I am requesting your review comments by 7/19/14. If you have any questions or need additional information/time for your review, please let me know. Thanks, Eddie Page 2

26 NCDOT From: Hildebrandt, Heather J <hjhildebrandt@ncdot.gov> Sent: Thursday, June 26, :36 AM To: Dancausse, Edward (FHWA); davis.scottr@epa.gov; Pickett, Carrie; Sheckler.Kelly@epa.gov Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; scottr@partnc.org; wendym@cityofws.org; Bailey, John A; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Holman, Sheila; njtennison@ncdot.gov; Pullium, Susan W; Bruff, Michael S; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Thomas, Earlene W; Marley, Bill (FHWA); Reed, Donna (FHWA); Stanley, Mike; Galamb, Anne; Shah, Hemal J; Dabney, Unwanna; Galamb, Anne Subject: RE: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Eddie, Thank you for forwarding the Draft Conformity Determination Report for the Winston-Salem MPO 2035 plan and TIP amendment for U-2827B. Since the project resides wholly in Forsyth County and there is a CO Limited Maintenance Plan in place, the short form is adequate for the purposes of determining conformity and no new regional emissions analysis is required. I do not have any comments or questions and support the finding of conformity for this amendment. Heather J. Hildebrandt Transportation Engineer NC DOT Transportation Planning Branch From: Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov [mailto:edward.dancausse@dot.gov] Sent: Thursday, June 19, :56 PM To: davis.scottr@epa.gov; Hildebrandt, Heather J; Pickett, Carrie; Sheckler.Kelly@epa.gov Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; scottr@partnc.org; wendym@cityofws.org; Bailey, John A; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Holman, Sheila; njtennison@ncdot.gov; Pullium, Susan W; Bruff, Michael S; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Thomas, Earlene W; Bill.Marley@dot.gov; Donna.Reed@dot.gov; Stanley, Mike; Galamb, Anne; Shah, Hemal J; Unwanna.Dabney@dot.gov; Galamb, Anne; Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov Subject: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Kelly/Scott, The attached files contain the FHWA letters requesting review and comment of the Winston Salem (WS) MPO 2035 LRTP/TIP Amendment (U-2827B) Draft Conformity Determination Report (CDR). I will not be sending hard copies of these letters. If you want a hard copy for your files please print a copy. The WS MPO is taking two amendment alternatives out for agency/public review. A preferred alternative will be selected prior to the MPO making their final actions (conformity determination/tip amendment) on November Page 1

27 NCDOT Heather/Carrie: This serves as my request for your review and comments on the draft CDR Kelly: I will make the suggested revisions you suggested (from the CAMPO short form CDR s) for the final draft version of this document. The final draft CDR is provided on the Winston Salem MPO website and that link is provided below: I am requesting your review comments by 7/19/14. If you have any questions or need additional information/time for your review, please let me know. Thanks, Eddie correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Page 2

28 NCDAQ From: Pickett, Carrie Sent: Friday, June 27, :47 AM To: Hildebrandt, Heather J; Dancausse, Edward (FHWA); Cc: Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; Bailey, John A; Holman, Sheila; Pullium, Susan W; Bruff, Michael S; Thomas, Earlene W; Marley, Bill (FHWA); Reed, Donna (FHWA); Stanley, Mike; Galamb, Anne; Shah, Hemal J; Dabney, Unwanna; Galamb, Anne Subject: RE: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Eddie, Thank you for your sent June 19, 2014 requesting interagency review of the Draft Conformity Determination Report for the Winston-Salem MPO 2035 plan and TIP amendment for U-2827B. After review I support the finding of conformity. As the project alternatives under consideration are in Forsyth County where a CO Limited Maintenance Plan is in effect, the short form is adequate for this conformity determination. Since both alternatives were modeled, the one chosen should be incorporated into the Triad Regional Model and stakeholders notified to confirm this action for future project conformity determinations. Reference: Table 1 of 40 CFR (e) Areas with limited maintenance plans. Notwithstanding the other paragraphs of this section, an area is not required to satisfy the regional emissions analysis for and/or for a given pollutant and NAAQS, if the area has an adequate or approved limited maintenance plan for such pollutant and NAAQS. A limited maintenance plan would have to demonstrate that it would be unreasonable to expect that such an area would experience enough motor vehicle emissions growth for a NAAQS violation to occur. A conformity determination that meets other applicable criteria in table 1 of paragraph (b) of this section is still required, including the hot-spot requirements for projects in CO, PM10, and PM2.5 areas. Will there be/has there been a follow up CO Hotspot Analysis performed regarding the draft comment below? EPA (Somerville) is going to check to see if a regional emissions analysis will be required for this project since it is located in Forsyth County which is under a CO Limited Maintenance Plan. Per phone conversation on 12/6/13 with EPA (Somerville) a regional emissions analysis is NOT required but project level conformity is required (i.e., CO Hotspot Analysis, etc.) Thanks! Carrie Page 1

29 NCDAQ Carrie Pickett, Environmental Engineer Tech. Services Section, Mobile Source Compliance Branch NC DENR, Division of Air Quality 1641 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC Phone: Fax: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the content is exempt by statute or other regulation. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From: Hildebrandt, Heather J Sent: Thursday, June 26, :36 AM To: Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov; davis.scottr@epa.gov; Pickett, Carrie; Sheckler.Kelly@epa.gov Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; scottr@partnc.org; wendym@cityofws.org; Bailey, John A; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Holman, Sheila; njtennison@ncdot.gov; Pullium, Susan W; Bruff, Michael S; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Thomas, Earlene W; Bill.Marley@dot.gov; Donna.Reed@dot.gov; Stanley, Mike; Galamb, Anne; Shah, Hemal J; Unwanna.Dabney@dot.gov; Galamb, Anne Subject: RE: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Eddie, Thank you for forwarding the Draft Conformity Determination Report for the Winston-Salem MPO 2035 plan and TIP amendment for U-2827B. Since the project resides wholly in Forsyth County and there is a CO Limited Maintenance Plan in place, the short form is adequate for the purposes of determining conformity and no new regional emissions analysis is required. I do not have any comments or questions and support the finding of conformity for this amendment. Heather J. Hildebrandt Transportation Engineer NC DOT Transportation Planning Branch From: Edward.Dancausse@dot.gov [mailto:edward.dancausse@dot.gov] Sent: Thursday, June 19, :56 PM To: davis.scottr@epa.gov; Hildebrandt, Heather J; Pickett, Carrie; Sheckler.Kelly@epa.gov Cc: GREGE@cityofws.org; greg.venable@highpointnc.gov; Davis, Wayne C; Arellano, Terry C; scottr@partnc.org; wendym@cityofws.org; Bailey, John A; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Holman, Sheila; njtennison@ncdot.gov; Pullium, Susan W; Bruff, Michael S; smith.dianna@epa.gov; Thomas, Earlene W; Page 2

30 NCDAQ Stanley, Mike; Galamb, Anne; Shah, Hemal J; Galamb, Anne; Subject: Reply Requested by 7/19/14: Agency Review of the WS MPO 2035 LRTP/FY TIP Amendment (U2827B) Draft Transportation Conformity Determination Report Kelly/Scott, The attached files contain the FHWA letters requesting review and comment of the Winston Salem (WS) MPO 2035 LRTP/TIP Amendment (U-2827B) Draft Conformity Determination Report (CDR). I will not be sending hard copies of these letters. If you want a hard copy for your files please print a copy. The WS MPO is taking two amendment alternatives out for agency/public review. A preferred alternative will be selected prior to the MPO making their final actions (conformity determination/tip amendment) on November Heather/Carrie: This serves as my request for your review and comments on the draft CDR Kelly: I will make the suggested revisions you suggested (from the CAMPO short form CDR s) for the final draft version of this document. The final draft CDR is provided on the Winston Salem MPO website and that link is provided below: I am requesting your review comments by 7/19/14. If you have any questions or need additional information/time for your review, please let me know. Thanks, Eddie correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Page 3

31 Wendy Miller From: Sent: To: Subject: Steven Scroggin Tuesday, June 24, :15 AM Fredrick Haith Comments on priorities Though DOT has engaged in an extensive public awareness campaign around the Biz 40 rehab project in downtown Winston Salem, I was not aware of this opportunity to get involved until this morning: (An STI public drop in meeting to review and comment on the MPO priority projects will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the Bryce Stuart Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and from 5:00-7:00 p.m.) I hope that you can accept this as written comment. I am concerned about the DOT prioritization process. Winston Salem seems to be the loser in highway appropriations and to have received less than a proportionate share of highway funding for many, many years. I am concerned that the ranking process is being manipulated by adoption of a set of decision rules that continue to favor other communities that have already built -- at our expense as taxpayers -- superior highway systems to our own. We need the bypass and the Biz 40 rehab through downtown Winston Salem to get done -- about 20 years ago. After all this time, all the accidents on Hwy 52 and Biz 40, all the traffic snarls, and all the deterioration of the bridges and related infrastructure, these projects should be urgent number one priorities of the state, in my humble opinion. An appropriate objective ranking system would support that opinion instead of consistently ranking our critical needs below nice-to-have systems elsewhere. Steve Scroggin Tropical Smoothie Cafe 216 W Fourth St Winston Salem, NC

32 Wendy Miller From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Importance: Wendy Mailey Monday, July 07, :51 PM Fredrick Haith STI Priorities Comments The Effect of I-74 on the Triad.docx High This is the comment submitted on behalf of the chamber: Completion of I 74 will double the economic activity in the region, creating 33, 800 new jobs and adding over $2 billion in economic activity. Completion of I 74 will have a significant economic impact on all of North Carolina, making the entire state more economically competitive. The project has been delayed because of mistakes made by NCDOT that delayed construction for more than 10 years. I 74 is North Carolina s road to economic success. Please see attached Economic Impact Study that outlines in detail the importance of this project. It is imperative that the Business 40 project stay on schedule for this community to thrive. The community has been prepped and become prepared for the closure for years now. To delay this project would not only be at a detriment to this community, but would also be seen in a very negative light by the how NCDOT handles funding of major projects. Best regards, Wendy Wendy K. Mailey, MPA Director of Government Affairs Greater Winston Salem Chamber of Commerce wmailey@winstonsalem.com cell 411 West Fourth Street Suite 211 Winston Salem, NC Connect with the Chamber Thanks to Our Platinum Investors AT&T North Carolina BB&T Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Cook Medical Forsyth County Hanesbrands, Inc. Novant Health OutsourceIT of NC ReynoldsAmerican The Winston Salem Journal Twin City Quarter Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Wells Fargo Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 1

33 Wendy Miller From: Sent: To: Subject: Cooks, Owen J. Wednesday, July 09, :55 PM Fredrick Haith STI Local Point Assignment Comments for STI, SPOT prioritization: The Creative Corridors Coalition (CCC) believes it is important that all projects within its study area should be reviewed by the Mayor's Design Review Committee for conformance to the CCC's Design Guidelines as adopted by the City Council of Winston Salem and now a part of the Municipal Code (Part III, Chapter 2, Article III, Division 11). The ordinance states in part, The purpose of the committee is to review plans and proposals which are proposed by the city, NCDOT, or any other agency or organization for roadway improvements on the major thoroughfares in the creative corridors study area and to make recommendations to the city council, transportation advisory committee, or NCDOT on the plan's consistency with the outcome objectives of the community corridors master plan and design guidelines. As a creation of the city council, the committee will respect the final decision of the city council on transportation decisions in the corridor. Particularly projects early in their design phase need to be vetted as the design is progressed and funds are budgeted to ensure adequate funding for CCC betterments and design guidelines compliance. Larger projects should be considered as candidates to have design professionals and/or artists come alongside the engineers solving the roadway/corridor problem to aid in the interpretation and inclusion of the CCC Design Guidelines to ensure early adoption in planning, thoughtful consideration in design, and pursuit of matching fund opportunities where focal expressions of art and other aesthetic considerations would be most impactful. Of particular interest from a project priority standpoint, certain projects will create opportunities for the vision of CCC's Design Guidelines to permeate the community. Those include, SPOT ID H B (the Business 40 project), SPOT ID B (the WSSU pedestrian bridge over the Salem Creek Connector), and SPOT ID H (Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. extension). The importance of including the Mayor's Design Review Committee at all stages of design cannot be over emphasized as projects are completed with inclusion of CCC design guidelines principals, the fabric of the aesthetic will begin to connect the new and improved corridors and create the vision for our city of Arts and Innovation. Owen J Cooks Vice Chair, Creative Corridors Coalition On behalf of the Creative Corridors Coalition Board and Membership July 9,

34 Appendix F Adoption, Endorsement Resolutions and Agency Determinations

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40 North Carolina Division 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 410 Raleigh, NC (919) December 1, 2014 (919) Mr. Anthony J. Tata Secretary North Carolina Department of Transportation 1501 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC In Reply Refer To: HDA-NC Dear Secretary Tata: We reviewed the Winston Salem Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Conformity Determination Report for the: 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Amendment (U-2827B) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment (U-2827B) The Triad Area MPOs made conformity determinations on their 2030 LRTP Amendment and FY TIP Amendment (the TIPs are direct subsets of the 2035 LRTPs) on the following dates: High Point MPO on November 25, 2014 Winston Salem MPO on November 20, 2014 The FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) reviewed these documents. We also coordinated our review with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 and have enclosed their comments to this letter. Based on our review and comments provided by the US EPA, we find that the following areas conform to the purpose of the State Implementation Plan in accordance with 40 CFR Part 93: Winston-Salem MPO 2035 LRTP Amendment and FY TIP Amendment (U-2827B) High Point MPO 2035 LRTP and FY TIP Sincerely, Enclosure For John F. Sullivan, III, P.E. Division Administrator

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